So why do people use heart rate monitors?  In summary people use a heart rate monitor to protect their most important organ, their heart. With these monitors you can not only improve heart health, but also prevent yourself from putting your heart in danger due to over exertion.

A few good options for heart rate monitors are the Reebok Heart Rate Monitor and the more commonly used type of monitor Reebok Heart Rate Monitor/Strap.  It is more common just because most people think that most heart rate monitors require a chest strap to get an accurate reading, but the Reebok Heart Rate Monitor does not, and you have the convenience of wearing it like a watch, around your wrist. Just press the touch sensors and this Reebok Heart Rate Monitor provides the most accurate heart rate readings.
It’s Features Are:

• Anytime heart rate
• High and low target limits with alarm
• Time of day and calendar
• Night vision
• Daily alarm
• Easy-to-read, large displays
• Simple to use
• Accurate ECG heart rate

So if  you think these are good reasons for people to use a heart monitor look into purchasing a good one that works well for you in your lifestyle.  With these good reasons and if it could make a difference in your workout and the results you get, along with possibly keeping your heart safe, why wouldn’t you?

Using a nutrition bar for meal replacement is a convenient method of keeping your metabolism running on high when you don’t have time for a typical meal. It is also an excellent part of a reduced calorie weight loss plan. But finding the best meal replacement bars can be puzzling with so many options currently available.

Obviously, the best meal replacement bars are those that taste good. No matter how strong your resolve is, it likely won’t last long if you don’t enjoy the taste of the bars you choose. Don’t stick with a bar just because the nutritional label is stellar; you simply can’t afford to compromise on taste. Choosing a bar that comes in a variety of flavors, like the P90X protein bars, is a great way to ensure your taste buds don’t get bored.

Secondly, you want bars that are good for you. Many protein bars and similar “energy” bars are loaded with sugar. Learn how to read a nutritional label and realize that although sugar may give you a fast burst of energy, it will also quickly fizzle out. High protein, low calorie bars that taste good are typically the best meal replacement bars.

Once you find a high quality bar to use in your health and fitness goals, keep them in the house for a quick meal on the go or for your regular breakfast. The best meal replacement bars make a great way to squeeze in breakfast for people who won’t normally eat the morning meal. Paired with some fruit or a salad, they become a great healthy lunch.

When attacking any fitness goals, having a variety of tools at your fingertips ensures you have the support you need to keep going. The best meal replacement bars add to this “fitness toolbox”, giving you one great option for meals or quick snacks that won’t jeopardize all of your hard work.

Why do people use heart rate monitors?  The main reason that people use them is that when combined with an exercise regimen, they have a significant impact on improving your health and specifically in helping to ensure that your heart stay healthy.
The areas of benefit can be divided into 2 main areas.

• Improved exercise routine
• Ensuring safe exercise

But how does a heart rate monitor improve existing exercise?
As people exercise, their body gets used to the level of exercise that they are performing. For some this can happen relatively quickly. Using a heart rate monitor is one easy way to tell whether or not the exercise routine you are using is still challenging your aerobic levels. Whether you are training for a marathon or just looking to lose a few pounds this can be extremely useful in helping to determine the optimal exercise routine.

Some useful questions that can be answered by a heart rate monitor.

• Length of the exercise timing
• Maximum and minimum heart rates during exercising.
• Average heart rate during exercising
• calories burned during the exercise session.

Can a heart rate monitor really save my life?
I am sure we have all done it once it a while where we get caught up in the heat of the moment whether running or playing sports and push ourselves too far. Whether you are in perfect shape or recovering from a heart injury a heart rate monitor can help you stick within the desired range to ensure you do not put yourself in risk of heart attack.  Without using a heart rate monitor it is difficult to determine whether or not you may be overexerting yourself which is a very big risk to take.

There are many fitness approaches and terms that can easily confuse someone just getting into a training program. Just with the products we carry here, you will hear things like “muscle confusion”, “sectional progression”, “lean phasing”, and “stacking”. Before long we will be adding High Intensity Interval Training to that list. This is the approach that Shaun T. takes with the Insanity workout program and it is one worth learning about.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is not unique to the Insanity workout. This type of training has been used for a long time but recently, within the last 10 years, has gained in popularity. The idea behind this approach to working out is extremely intense bursts of cardio activity marked with short “rest” periods. Don’t get it confused, these rest periods don’t involve taking a seat and catching your breath. Before you can recover, you will be back at it again with HIIT.

High Intensity Interval Training has taken the fitness world by storm with many people singing the praises of it. According to Jeff Bayer at AskMen.com, HIIT can burn up to 9 times more fat than a regular training session. This leads to dramatic changes in body composition in a relatively short amount of time.

HIIT works because it is so intense. You cannot claim to do a high intensity interval training session without giving it everything you’ve got, or you simply won’t see the benefits. According to Wikipedia quoting a study on HIIT, when done correctly HIIT raises your resting metabolic rate for 24 hours following a workout. This means that you will continue to burn fat at super-high levels for an entire day after your workout!

High Intensity Interval Training is what makes the Insanity workout system “insane”. You will, quite literally, push your body to limits you may not have known existed. Because of this, however, you will see results you have likely not seen before.

How much does P90X cost and can I find it anywhere cheaper is one question I hear an awful lot of.  You can find P90X many places on the web but that doesn’t mean you will get all of the products that should come with it.  You should go to an official website of any authorized retailer of P90X to see what should come with the workout DVD’s and the total cost before you start comparing.

If you go to this official site http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/p90x.php you can see that you should receive twelve workout DVD’s and a thirteenth that gives you an overview of the program, along with a nutrition guide and a fitness guide.  So how much does P90X cost – $119.85!

Now I have gone to different sites and seen P90X for sale, and more cheaply on many of them.  However, one of the biggest complaints that customer service gets is that someone ordered from Amazon or another site and purchased P90X more  reasonably but all they received was the P90X DVD’s and none of the guides or informational paperwork that you should receive before you get started on such an intense program.  These guides and information help you get the maximum results from this program and without them you don’t even know which workout to do on what day or any kind of nutritional help.

So before purchasing P90X, do your homework.  How much does P90X cost is a relative question depending on what you want to receive with your order and if you want to get the maximum results from your workouts.  So make sure you get your moneys worth.

Photo Courtesy: jcoterhals

Not everyone’s main fitness goal is to trim down. For many people, getting bigger is their ultimate goal. People wondering how to bulk up often have a high metabolism, something those of us who struggle with weight can only wish for. People with a high muscle mass and low body fat often blast through calories at an amazing rate. When your metabolism is higher, putting on weight and even maintaining the weight you have can be difficult. These people often end up having to take in calories that would mean diet failure for the rest of us. It just goes to show how drastically different each person’s physiological makeup is.

Weight maintenance is often said to be as simple as calories in/ calories out. Sometimes it is this simple. In most cases, however, it is far more complicated. When curious how to bulk up, you want to ensure you are not just gaining weight but that you are gaining the right kind of weight. Fat, though sometimes easier to gain, is not the right kind.

The key to building muscle is proper nutrition and weight training. In order to put on pounds of mass you will need to work hard, whether at the gym or at home with a muscle building workout like P90X.

Something to keep in mind, however, is that as you put on muscle, your metabolism will climb even higher. This happens because muscle requires more fuel to survive than fat does. It is a common problem among naturally slim people who want to know how to bulk up. So, as you build the muscle you must also increase the amount you are feeding them.

While things like pizza and fried foods are high in calories, muscles don’t just need calories. Protein plays a huge role in bulking up. Our muscles rely on protein for building and repairing. When you are having to dramatically increase your calories to maintain the weight you have, let alone adding weight, things like high quality whey protein shakes and protein bars can be a huge asset.

Simply put: when wondering how to bulk up, increase weight training and the consumption of healthy muscle fuel. High quality protein, along with other healthy foods will feed the muscles you are building in a way that other calories can’t.

How can you take some of your favorite recipes  that may not be the healthiest and try to tweak them to make them better for you?  It’s not as hard as you may think. The key is to incorporate healthier alternatives into your daily eating routine.

The following suggestions can help you lower fat, salt, sugar and calories and increase fiber in your recipes.

All-purpose (plain) flour

• Whole-wheat flour for half of the called-for all-purpose flour in baked goods           Note: Whole-wheat pastry flour is less dense and works well in softer products like cakes and muffins.

Bacon

• Canadian bacon, turkey bacon, smoked turkey or lean prosciutto (Italian ham)

Butter, shortening or oil in baked goods

• Applesauce or prune puree for half of the called-for butter, shortening or oil              Note: To avoid dense, soggy or flat baked goods, don’t substitute oil for butter or shortening.

Butter, margarine, shortening or oil to prevent sticking

• Cooking spray or nonstick pans

Creamed soups

• Fat-free milk-based soups, mashed potato flakes, or pureed carrots, potatoes or tofu for thickening agents

Dry bread crumbs

• Rolled oats or crushed bran cereal

Eggs

• Two egg whites or 1/4 cup egg substitute for each whole egg

Enriched pasta

• Whole-wheat pasta

Evaporated milk

• Evaporated skim milk

Fruit canned in heavy syrup

• Fruit canned in its own juices or in water, or fresh fruit

Fruit-flavored yogurt

• Plain yogurt with fresh fruit slices

Full-fat cream cheese

• Fat-free or low-fat cream cheese, Neufchatel or low-fat cottage cheese pureed until smooth

Full-fat sour cream

• Fat-free or low-fat sour cream, plain fat-free or low-fat yogurt

Ground beef

• Extra-lean or lean ground beef, chicken or turkey breast (make sure no poultry skin has been added to the product)

Iceberg lettuce

• Arugula, chicory, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach or watercress

Margarine in baked goods

• Trans fat-free butter spreads or shortenings that are specially formulated for baking       Note: If ingredient lists include the term “partially hydrogenated,” it may have up to 0.5 grams of trans fat in one serving. To avoid dense, soggy or flat baked goods, don’t substitute diet, whipped or tub-style margarine for regular margarine.

Mayonnaise

• Reduced-calorie mayonnaise-type salad dressing or reduced-calorie, reduced-fat mayonnaise

Meat as the main ingredient

• Three times as many vegetables as the meat on pizzas or in casseroles, soups and stews

Oil-based marinades

• Wine, balsamic vinegar, fruit juice or fat-free broth

Salad dressing

• Fat-free or reduced-calorie dressing or flavored vinegars

Seasoning salt, such as garlic salt, celery salt or onion salt

• Herb-only seasonings, such as garlic powder, celery seed or onion flakes, or use finely chopped herbs or garlic, celery or onions

Soups, sauces, dressings, crackers, or canned meat, fish or vegetables

• Low-sodium or reduced-sodium versions

Soy sauce

• Sweet-and-sour sauce, hot mustard sauce or low-sodium soy sauce

Syrup

• Pureed fruit, such as applesauce, or low-calorie, sugar-free syrup

Table salt

• Herbs, spices, fruit juices or salt-free seasoning mixes or herb blends

White bread

• Whole-wheat bread

White rice

• Brown rice, wild rice, bulgur or pearl barley

Whole milk

• Reduced-fat or fat-free milk

It’s everywhere you look. Social networks, television, and print media have all got in on the Insanity workout hype and we’re getting in on it too. The Insanity workout system is like no other home workout program currently available. It is maximum effort for maximum results, at its best. In sixty days you can literally transform your body into the sexy physique of your dreams. From head to toe, you will be tight, toned, and built like a fitness pro.

Hosted and developed by Shaun T in conjunction with Beachbody, the Insanity workout program is intense to the tenth power! Shaun T knows a thing or two about getting and maintaining a top notch bod. Having made the Hip Hop Abs series and being a former track star certainly ups his credibility. The man is a beast; you only have to see his abs to know he doesn’t play!

The Insanity workout system comes with 10 workout DVDs and multiple bonuses to get you ripped in 60 days time. We can’t wait to get this program for our customers and we know you are anxious too.

The philosophy behind the Insanity workout is that max interval training can maximize your results. Rather than steady workouts with short bursts of intensity, these intervals are steadily intense with very short periods of rest. Sounds scary right? If you are up for a fitness challenge like no other, you are up for the Insanity workout system.

Here at ExtremeBody Workout, we back all of our workout systems with an unparalleled level of service and this program will be no different. Soon we hope to be hearing about your dramatic results with the Insanity workout as we have been with the other programs we carry.

Insanity with Shaun T is the program for people who love a challenge and can really “dig deep” for maximum results!

Massage therapy has long been thought to be for relaxation and pampering, and I’m not disputing that.  What I want people to know is that it has so many more health benefits than just relaxation.  It increases blood circulation, lymphatic drainage and also gets rid of toxins in the body.  It helps people with sleep disorders and is great for people who work there muscles frequently at the gym or with a good home workout.   Researchers are confirming what serious athletes have long believed: Swedish massage immediately after intense exercise helps muscles recover.

To test the validity of this common practice in the sports world, a study was done on a group of athletes.  After an intense exercise one leg was massaged and one was left to rest.  The massaged muscles recovered significantly more function and strength after the four-day trial. Also, the muscles that were not massaged had more damaged muscle fibers and more white blood cells, which can indicate inflammation. The massaged muscles weighed less than the rested muscles, suggesting the massages prevented swelling.

So doesn’t it make sense if we are working hard to get our bodies in shape with a good workout that we would let our muscles know afterward that, although we do want them nice and tight and toned that we also want them to be nice and flexible and recover more quickly.  So make sure you stretch after your workout and make massage a part of your monthly routine.

I don’t know anyone that wouldn’t accept six-pack abs if offered the chance. So why aren’t we all walking around with six-packs? Because getting to this level of fitness isn’t easy. It takes serious dedication and an extremely effective workout program. You can do crunches all day long, but unless you have a real ab system, you won’t see that six-pack. RevAbs is the system that can deliver a ridiculously sexy six-pack in 90 days time.

Created by Brett Hoebel in conjunction with Beachbody, RevAbs is the solution to that ribbed midsection you have always wanted. Hoebel is an international fitness expert responsible for training some of the hottest people on the planet, actresses and Victoria Secret models. He knows a thing or two about fitness and hard work and has created this program to deliver major results to people just like you.

In a short time we will be offering the RevAbs program here at Extreme Body Workout. You will be able to get this amazing system backed with our amazing level of support.

The RevAbs program consists of a 90 day plan for turning your body into the work of art you have always wanted, with rock hard abs as the crowning trophy. The system uses Abcentrics, developed by Hoebel, to work the abdominal muscles from 6 angles. With this system you work every inch of the abs, ensuring they are tight from ribs to hips.

The key with developing a rock hard six-pack is building the abdominal muscles and burning the fat that hides them.

With RevAbs and Abcentrics, you will get just that. With 9 routines on 7 DVDs there is no way a fat belly will survive. In addition, Hoebel includes a Jump Start plan to get your fat loss off to a fast start. Here at EBW, we can’t wait to offer you this program and think you will agree that it is quite possibly the best ab system around.

Photo courtesy: http://www.Hoebel.com

Shakeology is the new product released by Beachbody as a meal replacement shake.  It comes in two flavors, chocolate and greenberry and I have heard mixed reviews on which is better, but that both were great so you are just going to have to try them yourselves and see which is your favorite.

Why buy Shakeology?  A lot of people are daunted by the price of $119.95 for a 30 supply which breaks down to about $4 a day.  If we looked at that fact ONLY, we could say, “You’re right, it is expensive.”  But Shakeology is a meal replacement.  Now imagine if you will what it costs to get a meal, or some of us, a Starbucks.  Just about the same.  The exception is, Shakeology is good for you!  Starbucks will fill you up with caffeine and sugar.  Fast food will fill you up with fat, and vast amounts of calories.  If you take a look at Shakeology from the meal perspective, and that it’s improving your fitness and nutrition, I think you will find that the price is fair, and also in the same ball park as what you would spend for lunch, a meal, or Starbucks.

So why buy Shakeology?  Well, why not?  Doesn’t it just make sense to buy something thats, in the long run, actually cheaper than a full meal, is healthy, AND tastes great!  Sounds like a good idea to me.  So when you are next searching for a good meal replacement shake, check out and buy Shakeology, give it a try!

P90X is a revolutionary program. Although the system has been in circulation for several years now, it maintains its ranking of one of the best selling fitness programs currently available. One of the reasons for the success of the P90X program is its incredible results. The fact is: when you give this program your all, you are handsomely rewarded with amazing P90X results. Just going through the motions will get you results. However, the key to maximizing your P90X results is “bringing it”!

The P90X workout system is so extreme and so effective that you will get results even by just going through the motions. Who wants mediocre results though? This program has the ability to take your body to a whole new level. You know that ideal body you have in mind? More than likely it’s closer than you think with the P90X results. You can’t just shuffle your way through the workouts; you have to come with enthusiasm.

Throughout the P90X program you will hear Tony Horton shouting at you to “Bring It!” He knows there are two groups of people at home working out with him–those who are just “getting through” the workouts and those really trying to get the most out of the workouts. Pushing yourself to your breaking point isn’t easy, but major P90X results don’t come easy.

Maximizing your P90X results begins with putting forth maximum effort. This doesn’t only apply to the workouts, but to the nutrition as well. Working out like crazy won’t do a thing if you are eating junk at every chance. Follow the workout plan and also follow the P90X Nutrition Guide. If you really want to get the best results, consider the P90X Peak Recovery Formula for after your workouts. This drink gives your body the perfect blend of nutrients for maximum muscle recovery.

P90X will get you amazing results. You will get what you put into each workout, however. Give each workout everything you’ve got and you will be rewarded many times over!

While we know the actual title of this program is ChaLEAN Extreme, the misspelling of Chalene Extreme is an understandable mistake we often see in searches. Chalene Johnson is a force to be reckoned with and although the program is names after her it is, afterall, a play on words. This home workout system will help you develop lean, defined muscle mass and a sculpted body without all the fat. It does offer a unique approach, so knowing what to expect ahead of time can be helpful.

Muscle Burns Fat.

The ChaLEAN/Chalene Extreme program is based on that simple statement. The entire program is developed to increase your muscle mass in order to boost metabolism. Will that make you bulky and masculine looking? No. If you are a woman, there is a very slim chance that you will develop masculine looking muscle mass without hormonal supplements.

Instead, “muscle burns fat” refers to the simple fact that a body with greater muscle mass has a higher metabolism. This means, the more muscle you have, the easier it will be to lose fat. By putting muscle on with the Chalene Extreme program, you are creating great definition and whittling away at the squishy stuff.

Lifting heavy weights slowly, according to Chalene Extreme, will maximize your muscle gains, giving you greater results in a shorter amount of time. So when you begin this program don’t expect to set any speed records with your weight lifting reps. Slowing down allows each muscle to be engaged and it also means you will reach muscle fatigue with less reps (definitely a good thing).

Expect major changes when you commit to three months with Chalene Extreme. Johnson states that by following her program you can expect to lose up to 60% of your body fat within those three months. If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is. So, whether you spell it ChaLEAN Extreme or Chalene Extreme, the results are the same. Put in 3 months of hard work and see a lifetime of fitness goals come to fruition!

I am often asked how I keep my immune system running strong during the cold and flu season. Interestingly enough, the answer is relatively simple and easy.

I firmly believe eating a diet rich in organic foods is an excellent form of prevention, particularly in a western world where medical treatments can be extremely expensive! If you think organic foods are costly, think about the expenses associated with future doctor visits, prescriptions and pain management-and the list goes on if you don’t take 100% responsibility for your health and become prevention-proactive now!

So the number one secret is prevention.  Eat a diet that is rich in antioxidants to boost your immune system. This means eating as many bright colored fruits and vegetables (of course choose organic!) that are rich in antioxidants so your immune system can do its job – protect you against common colds, flues and serious illnesses. In fact there is one thing that health officials agree on: the common cold, flu and serious diseases can not take a hold of a healthy immune system. And why choose organic? Science is proving that organic foods are healthier for you and contain higher counts of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants.

Incorporating things like raw garlic can help if you feel yourself start to get sick because it is an all natural antibiotic.  Also drinking lots of fluids will help flush things out of your system.  Since it is recommend that we get lots of antioxidants into our system every day and an average person doesn’t eat enough of those organic fruits and veggies to get them, try adding a superfood or some kind of powdered greens to your diet to help supplement what you aren’t actually eating.

• Does exercise affect milk supply or nutrient content?

No. Studies have shown no difference in the volume or composition of the milk or babies’ weight gain. One study showed a slight increase in milk supply for the women who exercised regularly, but because of the small size of the study this increase may not be significant.

• Does lactic acid increase in breastmilk after exercise?

Research has not shown a noticable increase in lactic acid buildup after moderate exercise (50% & 75% intensity). The lactic acid in breastmilk does increase somewhat if mom exercises to maximum (100%) intensity, also described as exhaustive exercise. This increase may be present up to 90 minutes post-exercise. There are no known harmful effects for the baby.

• Will baby refuse the breast after mom exercises?

Most studies have found no difference in acceptance of the breast, even after maximum intensity exercise.  Although a highly publicized 1992 study indicated that baby might fuss or refuse expressed milk from a mom who had been exercising at 100% intensity, the results were questionable because the babies were fed the milk by dropper (unfamiliar to these babies), and the mothers reported that the babies had not had problems with nursing after exercise in the past. A more recent study showed no change in infants’ acceptable of mom’s milk an hour after exercise, even for the moms who exercised at maximum intensity (and thus did have a slight increase in lactic acid in their milk).

Exercise guidelines for breastfeeding mothers

• For your own comfort, you may wish to nurse before exercising and wear a good, supportive bra (especially during strenuous exercises such as running, jumping, etc).
• Some babies don’t like nursing when mom has been sweating (due to the salt on mom’s skin) so you may wish to rinse your breasts or take a shower before nursing.
• If you regularly lift weights or do other exercises involving repetitive arm movement and you develop plugged ducts, cut back and start again more slowly.
• Keep yourself hydrated.